Box, packing case, and the like



Nov. 6 1923. 1,473,396

J. I. NASMI-TH BOX, PACKING CASE, AND THE LIKE Filed July 18 1922Inventor.

[y/ W 3 ,12. LdL J.

Patented Nov. d, T1923.

STATES lhdlddldt @FFEQEE.

JOHN I. NASMITH, OF ELIHAIVI, LONDON, ENGLAND.

BOX, PACKING- CASE, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed. July 18,

The invention relates to packing cases and,

the like constructed of cardboard or wood or both combined. Such casesas usually made leave much to be desired; they do not well resist theforces from outside to protect the contents, nor do they well resist thestatic forces and still less the dynamic forces exerted by the contentsin handling and transit. Also such cases have to be fastened up in sucha manner that they must be partly destroyed to open them and are easilypilferable withoutshowing any external traces of interference, if merelynailed and cannot be used again or returned in usable condition.

The object of the present invention is to construct a case which, whenpacked, can be closed by simple means and the operation of closing putsone part of the case in tension and the other in compression, thusforming a very rigid box or case apart from the contents, and at thesame time to so arrange it that the closing device is the only part thathas to be destroyed or damaged to open the case and dismember it intoits sev eral parts and which is unpilferable without destroying orvisibly damaging such device and finally to provide that the dismemberedcase is collapsible, easily stored in quantities in small compass,undamaged in opening and consequently reusable or returnable in littlespace to the factory for reuse.

In order that the invention may be easily understood 'l append a sheetof drawings showing the various parts of the box or case,

together with meansof closing it and hold- 1' ing it together duringtransit.

Figure 1 is a perspective view. showing the body frame hereinafterdescribed. made in one piece.

Figure 2 is an edge view. showing the body frame collapsed.

Figure 3' is a perspective view, showing the body frame made in aplurality of pieces.

Figures 1 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views, showing end portions ofthe body, provided with end frames constituting abutments.

Figure 6 is a perspective view, showing separately an. abutment-formingend frame 1922. Serial No. 575,914.

differing in construction from those shown by Figures 1 and 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing a portion of thebody frame provided with abutments, and differing in construction fromthe body frame shown by the preceding figures.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of'Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the two members hereinaftercalled th top. and bottom members, said member being straightened.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, 7

showing the member flexed.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a complete box or case, including theparts shown by Figures 1, 2, 4c, 5, 9 and 10, and including also anembracing band.

Figures 12 and 14 are fragmentary side views, showing modifications.

Figure 13 is an end View of a part shown by Figure 12.

The case consists in the first place of a rectangular body frame (Figure1), creased at the corners, so that it will fold fiat as seen in plan inFigure 2. This frame may be made of one piece A. of board, as shown byFigure 1, for small packages, or of several pieces stitched together.Forcertain types of box the sides need not be the full depth. butcomposed of two or more strips stitched to the ends A (Figure 3). Wherestrength is required the rectangular frame may be made of wood, thesides being hinged to the ends.

In the embodiment of the invention shown by Figures 1. 5, 6 and 11, Ifirmly attach to the ends of the body frame, end frames B, constitutingabutments. These frames may have the form in section shown in Figures 4and 5, so that. a groove G is exposed all round the end of therectangular frame A. for the insertion of the material composing the topand bottom members hereinafter described. As shown by Figure 6, the endframes, may be made of cardboard strips B, with stitched corners. and ofsuch dimensions as to leaveroom between the strips and the body frame A,for the same purpose .as the groove G. The end frames formed as shown inFigure 6 permit a sufficient collapse of the body frame A for practicalpurposes.

Figure 9 shows the construction of the parts forming the top and bottommembers C of the case, these members being identical, so that adescription of one will suffice. Each member C is preferably made of asingle piece, and rather longer than the body frame A. It is creasedlongitudinally along each side so as to form flanges C, to overlap theside of the. body frame A, and ifnecessary, form entire external sidesof the completed box. Preferably these flanges boy; is full, the topmember s sprung into position. The topand bottom members are thenstraightened by external'pressure, to

cause their endsto exert pressure in opposite directions on theabutments, by increasing thedistance between said, ends. The saidmembers are finally secured by suitable means to be presently described.

Owing to the fact that the straightened member's C are longer than thebody frame A, the. ends of said members are thrust outwards and the bodyframeis put intension. By securing, the top and bottom members in thisposition, for" example, by putting, a band 13 (Figure 11) tightly roundthe center of the'boX, a rigid case is formed, which will resist. greatpressure on the ends and corners, withoutcollapse when empty. Suchpressure puts 'theisaid band in tension, and tendsto burst it, so thatit is only by the removal or destruction of the band that the casecan'be opened. The case cannot be 'pil fered, without destroying themeans presently to be described, for retaining the band B in positionlongitudinally, or damaging the .case' In long eases, three or morebands. B may be used. Where strength is not re quired, permanentcardboard bands, and for strong cases, hoop iron permanent bands may beused which willpass over the ends of the collapsed rectangular framewhich is then expanded and the band placed near one end The one endportion of each of the top and bottom members maybe passed und t e bandin? t smo e a d the other end sprung into position in theope 'positegroove The band, if a good fit, then requires much force topush it toits central positio nwhere it is 'secured, and forms a most rigidpackage.

In order to; secure the bands in position,

eyelets E 1(F1gures 11, 12 and 14), are perlmanently placed in't e.fia-es ea the central slotsa d' r ngs Q' W e Passed through theeyelets, so that when the band is, in place, it lies just between twoeyelets,

. and the stasis ate the. wir wis over the band and suitably sealed, forexample, by a lead seal, so that theband can- 7 not be displaced untilthe string or wire is cut. The band may then beremoved and the caseopened, repacked with other goods, or dismembered 111 00 ts severalparts, and folded up and stored or returned in little space to thesender for reuse, every part, even the band being intact and un damaged.

Another method of closing the case is;

shown in Figures12 and 18. Eyele'ts' E are. placed as before, andapermanent plate P of metal, bent so as to have a section as seen inFigure 13, is passed into the slot L 1n the flange C of the bottommember, so

that the central web of the plate is in the f slot. When the member Chas been sprung into place, the plate]? is moved up so as to embrace theedges of; the slot in the flange of the top member. liotch'es N (F gure12) are cut inthe edges of the plate? so as to correspond with theposition of'theeyelets, and'the string or wire VJ engages in thesenotches and is tied or'twisteth'and sealed, thus securing the plate inplace and effectively preventing the removal of the designated Aprovided with stout staples S, projecting outward. The flanges C" of themembers C are provided with slots T forming tongues T (Figure 9),adapt-ed to enter said. staples. The portions of the staples whichencounterthe ends of the slots T constitute abutmentsfhaving the samefunction as those above described. I 1

Each end portion of the body frame A may have an extension A (Figure 7)provided with slots 8, arranged .to receive tongues on the end portionsof the top and bottom members. The erg-tensions A in this caseconstitute the abutments,-and the slots 8 constitute equivalents of thegrooves G, Claims: Y 1. A boxorpacking case comprising a rectangularopen' bodyframe forming four upright box wall portions, abutments'beingprovided at opposite end portionsof the body frame; top and. bottommembers formed to close the top and bottomof the body frame, andhavingend portions fermed to engage said abutments, said members being adaptedto be flexed to decrease the distance between its end portions, andstraightened to ncrease sa1d distance, the arrangement being such thatwhen said members are flexed, their end portions are engageable withsaid abutments, and when the members are straightened, their endportions are pressed in opposite directions against the abutments,whereby the said body frame is put under tension, and said members areput under compression; and securing means releasably confining saidmembers in their straightened form.

2. A box or packing case substantially as specified by claim 1, saidabutments being embodied in end frames fixed to opposite end portions ofsaid body frame, and forming grooves adapted to receive the end portionsof said top and bottom members.

3. A box or packing case substantially as specified by claim 1, saidsecuring means including a band surrounding the body frame and the saidtop and bottom members, and confining said members in their straightenedform, and fastenings preventing longitudinal displacement of said band.

4. A box or packing case substantially as specified by claim 1, said topand bottom members being provided with flanges overlapping opposite wallportions of the body frame, and having transverse slots permittingflexure of said members.

5. A box or packing case substantially as specified by claim 1, said topand bottom members being provided with flanges overlapping opposite wallportions of the body frame, and having transverse slots permittingfiexure of said members, the said securing means including a bandsurrounding thebody frame and the top and bottom members, and fasteningsreleasably connecting said band with the said flanges.

6. A box or packing case comprising a rectangular open body frameforming four upright wall portions, abutments composed of end framesfixed to opposite end portions of the body frame and forming therewithconfining means, said body and end frames being flexible at theircorners, and constituting a collapsible structure adapted to beflattened, top and bottom members formed to close the top and bottom ofthe body frame, and having end portions formed to engage said abutments,said members being adapted to be flexed to decrease the distance betweenits end portions, and straightened to increase said distance, thearrangement being such that when said members are flexed, their endportions are engageable with said abutments, and when the members arestraightened, their end portions are pressed in opposite directionsagainst the abutments, whereby the said body frame is put under tension,and said members are put under compression; and securing meansreleasably confining said members in their straightened form.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

JOHN I. NASMITH.

